Page 103 of It Starts With A No

Seth strode over and took Clary’s things from her hand. “Is it a conversation you’d like to continue?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “We’re done.”

“Clary Fiore.” The man’s warning was clear in those two words.

Seth took her hand and tugged her behind him. “Do we have a problem?”

The man gave him a head-to-toe scan. “Do you know who I am?”

Now he did. He didn’t know which Eolenfeld the man was, but certainly an Eolenfeld. “Edward Eolenfeld wanted me to keep an eye on her. Should I let him know about your visit?”

The man paled, and his throat bobbed. He cast another glance at Clary, and Seth stepped forward.

“If I find out that you’re in Clary’s sight, I will let Edward Eolenfeld know that she’s being harassed.” Seth took out his phone and snapped a photo of the man. “Do you understand?”

“Delete that!”

“No.” Seth put away his phone. “You stay away from Clary.”

The man mumbled something inaudible, then spun and stormed back to his car.

Seth turned to Clary.

“I know. I should do something about those Eolenfelds.” She pulled her hand from his. “I have more important things to deal with.”

“More important than keeping yourself safe?”

“I am safe.”

“If I hadn’t been here, do you think that guy would’ve just let you go?”

“Seth.” She turned to him, her eyes closed and brows puckered. Then she pressed her hands together, palm to palm as if in prayer. “Please.” She closed her eyes and moved the tips of her index fingers to her lips. “I really don’t need a lecture now.”

Seth exhaled silently through his nose, then returned to the car without another word.

Chapter 20

“Good morning,” Clary said to Oliver as she came into the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep last night before I could do a taste trial with you.”

It had been another frosty ride with Seth.

Not a word was exchanged.

Then, when they got home, he went straight to his room. So she did the same. She was so tired anyway, and her head was pounding so badly that she just took a bath and crashed.

“It’s okay,” Oliver said with a bright smile that lit up his youthful features. His narrow chin and less angular features, coupled with the soft brown hair that flopped over his forehead, made him look like a student.

He had green eyes like all the Andersons—those she’d seen, at least. His sage green eyes had ripples of mint in them, making them brighter than his brothers’.

She still preferred Seth’s darker eyes, though.

Clary pushed that out of her mind. “I can do the taste trial now.”

“Now?”

She nodded. Because she had a feeling that she’d already overstayed her welcome.

She went over to the fridge and pulled out the six glass containers she’d packed. Glass containers she’d have to replace for Grandma Moretti. “This way, you can eat them whenever you want. Do you guys have silverware? Could I have a fork and knife? And a plate.”

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